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News and Highlights | December 2025

Dear {{my.preferred name}},

Welcome to the latest edition of the WGU Alumni Newsletter! Enjoy inspiring stories, exclusive alumni perks, and the latest updates.

Grateful for You This Holiday Season

As we wrap up 2025, we hope this December brings you joy, peace, and a bit of well-earned rest. Thank you for being part of our incredible Night Owl community and for everything you continue to do to represent WGU with pride.

We’re grateful for each of our graduates, inspired by your journeys, and excited for all that 2026 will bring. From all of us at WGU Alumni Relations, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a bright, hopeful start to the new year!

Celebrating a Remarkable Year of Commencements

What a year! Our 2025 commencements brought Night Owls together from across the country—and across the world—to celebrate their incredible achievements. With seven in-person ceremonies and two virtual celebrations, thousands of graduates and guests joined us for unforgettable moments of pride and accomplishment.

2025 at a glance:

13,587 graduates celebrated as 73,341 guests cheered them on.
23,379 attendees at Alumni Celebrations.
Graduates ranged in age from 16 to 83, with an average age of 37.
45% were first-generation graduates.
$104,524.96 raised for the Fellow Night Owl Scholarship.

Thank you to every graduate, guest, volunteer, and supporter who made this year unforgettable. Let's make 2026 even grander!

You Made This Possible

WGU’s 2025 Annual Impact Report is here, and the numbers tell an incredible story of support and opportunity. Thanks to generous donors—including many of our own alumni—thousands of students received the help they needed to stay on track and reach their goals.

A smiling female graduate in a blue cap and gown with an orange stole, with "WGU Annual Impact Report" text overlay.

This year’s impact at a glance:

$23.1 million raised for student success.
1,694 students awarded donor-funded scholarships.
70+ donor-funded scholarships across the university.

Your support—whether through giving, mentoring, or cheering on fellow Night Owls—truly changes lives. Thank you for being part of this impact.

Highlights, Holidays, and Fun Facts

December is here, bringing twinkling lights, festive traditions, and the cozy spirit of winter. Did you know the custom of decorating trees began long before modern Christmas celebrations? Ancient cultures, from the Romans to the Egyptians, used evergreens during winter festivals to symbolize life and resilience. The decorated Christmas tree as we know it began in 16th-century Germany, when families adorned fir trees with candles, fruits, and nuts. The tradition spread across Europe and later to America, becoming a beloved seasonal symbol.

Let’s take a look at what else is in store this month:

Hanukkah (12/14)—The start of an eight-day Jewish celebration of light, hope, and resilience.
Winter Solstice (12/21)—The shortest day of the year, and the return of longer daylight ahead!
Christmas Day (12/25)—A cherished holiday of celebration, generosity, and gathering with loved ones.
Kwanzaa (12/26)—Honoring African American culture and heritage through seven days of reflection and unity.
National Bacon Day (12/30)—Does bacon belong in this December holiday list? Yes, yes it does.
New Year’s Eve (12/31)—Time to celebrate the end of 2025 and welcome new beginnings in 2026.

Special Podcast: Hear from Alumni Leadership

Join WGU alumni leaders as they pull back the curtain on what life looks like after earning your degree in this special podcast episode. They discuss how WGU supports graduates at every stage—from résumé reviews and interview prep to Ask A Grad connections, regional events, and a thriving alumni community designed to help you grow long after graduation.

Two smiling men seated with microphones in a podcast studio.

Career Quest Returns This January

Winter Career Quest is right around the corner! This month-long virtual event series brings together employers, alumni, WGU career advisors, and industry experts for career-focused conversations designed to help you grow your skills and expand your network.

Learn more here, and check back frequently, as new events are added regularly.

A smiling Black woman with dreadlocks in an orange shirt holds a portfolio while standing in a city.

Stay Engaged with Your Alumni Community

Life after graduation is just the start! Whether you're connecting online or in person, there are so many ways to have fun and stay involved.

Upcoming Events

Online Communities

A person speaking at a podium on a stage with a blue WGU backdrop, facing an audience seated at elegant round tables in a brick-walled event hall.

Looking for Additional Help?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for helpful answers and a directory of emails of whom to contact for additional questions.

Need advice from other alumni? Ask A Grad.
You’re already part of a network of WGU alumni who can share experiences and offer guidance. However, you, too, can request help from fellow grads who may have been in your shoes.

Our Night Owl Network Continues to Grow:

New Students: 10,585 | Degrees Awarded: 467,345 | Nov. Grads: 4,254

We hope you enjoyed this edition of the alumni newsletter! You can view all past newsletters here. See you again in the next one.

Sincerely,

The Alumni Relations Team
[email protected]

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